The easy part for Argentina was qualifying for the World Cup, the hard part will be getting a starting XI that can make some World Cup waves 

Hangovers still likely grip Lima but after Peru saw off New Zealand, the line-up for the 2018 World Cup was complete. Thoughts now turn immediately to next June and for all 32 nations, the preparation begins. For some, the starting eleven, the shape and the tactics are already almost set in stone but while Argentina slumped to a friendly defeat to Nigeria in Krasnodar, it was painfully clear that Jorge Sampaoli has a great deal to work out.

The four World Cup qualifiers that Sampaoli oversaw were all simply about results and in that sense it was mission accomplished…just. And despite the intense pressure of that situation, the new coach had begun trying to implement his own ideas.

With varying success, there have been signs of improvement but the struggle for goals, the over-reliance on Lionel Messi, the somewhat muddled midfield and the suspect defence are all still evident.

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